Arts council to oversee funding

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The Nova Scotia government is bringing back an independent body to decide funding for artists in the province.

The new group, called Arts Nova Scotia, was announced Monday as part of the province's new strategy for arts and culture.

Joella Foulds, chair of the Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council, welcomes the move, even though it doesn't come with new funding.

"We always want more investment in the sector," said Foulds.

"I think that the recognition that the sector has value, that it should be something we invest it, I don't think we've really heard that in the same way in the past. So this is very exciting, even if the money isn't there today."

The last independent arts council was scrapped nine years ago.

The Progressive Conservative government at the time said that the move would cut administrative costs, and that money could then go to artists. Tourism Department staff were assigned to take over.

Many artists spoke out against it, saying they feared that funding for controversial or non-mainstream projects would dry up.

The new provincial strategy was developed following consultations with the arts sector last fall.

Representatives from the arts and culture sector will be named to the new council in the next few weeks.